Knowing the perfect moment to harvest your kohlrabi makes all the difference between a crisp, sweet bulb and a tough, woody one. This guide is all about when to pick kohlrabi5 – at its peak ripeness, ensuring you get the best flavor and texture from your garden.
Timing is everything with this unique vegetable. Harvest too early, and you miss out on its full size; harvest too late, and it becomes unpleasantly fibrous. We’ll walk you through the simple signs that tell you your kohlrabi is ready, so you can enjoy it at its absolute best.
When to Pick Kohlrabi5 – at Its Peak Ripeness
The core secret to perfect kohlrabi lies in observing a few key indicators. Unlike some vegetables that hide their readiness, kohlrabi gives you clear visual and tactile clues.
The Primary Signs of Readiness
First, look at the size of the bulb, which forms above the ground. Most kohlrabi varieties are ready when the bulb reaches about 2 to 3 inches in diameter for early varieties, or 4 to 6 inches for standard types. Check your seed packet for the specific “days to maturity,” but use that as a guideline, not a strict rule.
The texture of the bulb is even more important. A ripe kohlrabi bulb should feel firm and solid when you give it a gentle squeeze. If it feels soft or gives under pressure, it might be overmature or have internal issues.
Finally, examine the skin. The skin should be smooth and taut, not wrinkled or cracked. Small, hairline cracks can sometimes happen with rapid growth after a rain, but large cracks often signal the bulb is past its prime and starting to toughen.
The Tenderness Test
Many gardeners swear by a simple test involving the leaves. Kohlrabi produces edible leaves that grow directly from the bulb. When the bulb is young and tender, you can easily puncture the skin of a leaf with your thumbnail.
As the bulb matures and begins to transition past its peak, the fibers in the plant toughen. If you find it difficult to puncture a leaf near the base, the bulb itself is likely starting to become woody. This is a great secondary check.
Why Timing is Critical
Picking kohlrabi at the right time directly impacts your meal. A perfectly harvested kohlrabi has a crisp, juicy texture similar to a broccoli stem or apple, with a mild, sweet flavor.
If left in the ground too long, the plant continues to develop structural fibers. The bulb becomes tough, stringy, and often develops a bitter, pungent taste. It’s a disappointing outcome after weeks of care, but easily avoided with timely harvesting.
Your Step-by-Step Harvest Guide
Follow these simple steps when you think your kohlrabi is ready.
1. Check the calendar. Note the expected “days to maturity” from your seed packet. Start checking your plants a week before this date.
2. Assess the size. Use a measuring tape or simply judge by eye. Is the bulb the size of a tennis ball or a bit larger? That’s usually a good zone.
3. Perform the squeeze test. Gently press the bulb with your fingers. It should not yield or feel spongy.
4. Inspect the skin. Look for a smooth, consistent color (green, purple, or white depending on variety) without major blemishes or deep cracks.
5. Harvest. Using a sharp knife or garden shears, cut the stem just below the bulb, at soil level. You can also pull the entire plant if the soil is loose.
Remember to harvest the tender young leaves as well! They can be cooked like kale or collard greens and are highly nutritious.
What to Do After Harvest
Post-harvest handling is simple but important for storing your kohlrabi’s freshness. First, separate the leaves from the bulb if you aren’t using them immediately. The leaves draw moisture from the bulb, causing it to wilt faster.
For short-term use (within a week or two), you can store the unwashed bulbs in a perforated plastic bag in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. For longer storage, kohlrabi can be kept in a cool, humid root cellar conditions. Some gardeners also have good success chopping and freezing kohlrabi for use in cooked dishes later.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, things don’t go as planned. Here’s what some common problems mean.
* Bulb is cracking: This is often due to uneven watering, like a dry period followed by heavy rain. The bulb grows too fast for its skin. Harvest cracked bulbs immediately, as they won’t store well and will quickly become tough.
* Bulb is very small but looks mature: This can happen if plants are overcrowded. Kohlrabi needs adequate space—usually 4 to 6 inches apart—to expand properly. If they’re too close, they may mature at a smaller size.
* Woody texture even when small: This is usually caused by heat stress or a lack of consistent water. Kohlrabi prefers cool weather and even soil moisture. Bolting (flowering) can also cause woodiness; once a flower stalk appears, the bulb’s prime eating window has closed.
Seasonal Considerations
Your growing season affects your harvest schedule. For a spring planting, kohlrabi grows quickly in the cool weather and can become over-mature faster once temperatures heat up. Be vigilant and check them often in late spring.
For a fall crop, kohlrabi often develops exceptional sweetness after a light frost. The cooler temperatures slow growth and allow sugars to develop. You can often leave fall kohlrabi in the ground a bit longer, but still harvest before a hard freeze.
FAQ: Your Kohlrabi Harvest Questions
Q: Can you eat kohlrabi that has gotten too big?
A: You can, but it may not be pleasant raw. Larger, overmature kohlrabi is often best peeled thickly to remove the tough outer layer and then cooked in soups, stews, or roasted, where longer cooking can help soften the fibers.
Q: How do you know when purple kohlrabi is ripe?
A: The signs are identical to green varieties! Color is not a ripeness indicator for purple kohlrabi. Rely on size, firmness, and the tenderness of the leaves instead.
Q: What happens if you pick kohlrabi too early?
A: Picking a bit early is better than too late. Smaller, younger bulbs (around 2 inches) are very tender and sweet, like a radish-apple cross. You just get a smaller yield per plant.
Q: Does kohlrabi keep growing after you pick it?
A: No, the bulb will not continue to grow or mature after harvest. This is why timing the pick is so essential for quality. Once seperated from the roots, it’s essentially in storage mode.
Q: Can I harvest kohlrabi leaves without harming the bulb?
A: Yes, you can carefully harvest a few of the outer, older leaves from the base while the bulb is growing. Just don’t remove all the leaves, as the plant needs them to produce energy for the bulb to swell. The young, small leaves at the very center are best left alone.
Mastering the harvest of kohlrabi is a simple matter of observation. By focusing on bulb size, firmness, and skin condition, you’ll consistently bring in a crop that’s sweet, crisp, and perfect for your table. Keep an eye on your plants, and you’ll never miss that ideal window again.